The Swedish Medical Association has investigated to what extent its members have had to take over tasks that other professions in healthcare are responsible for.
Over the past two years, more than half of the doctors have been given tasks that were previously handled by administrators.
We measure more and more in healthcare and we have to handle referrals and certificates to different authorities. If there is no administrative service like a medical secretary, the doctor himself must solve all those tasks, says Lars Rocksén.
Safety is threatened
Six out of ten doctors state that the new administrative tasks threaten patient safety.
When we do not have time to meet the patients, we do not have time to make medical assessments either.
And then there are of course risks that can jeopardize patient safety.
In the survey, almost eight out of ten doctors state that the work environment deteriorates due to the imposed tasks.
Frustration
Yes, it is very clear. When you are torn between all these digital systems, registers, documentation, and administrative tasks that you have to take care of, and do not have time to reflect on your patient or hold a patient meeting, stress increases incredibly, says Lars Rocksén.
There is great frustration about this within the profession, he says.
It just becomes more and more that we have to do in less and less time and are not at all as involved in the medical work.
